Increasing polarization: enumerating the consequences of increasing inequality

“Remember your humanity. Forget the rest”. (Bertrand Russell in Russell-Einstein Manifesto) In a nutshell, this review is not trying to propagate rocket science or eureka moment that scientifically finds the cure for all the ills of economic inequality like penicillin does for infections. This review is a basic but effective exploration into the true nature of social realities. This review holistically elaborates how economic inequality is leading to increasing polarization in our societies. Two important drivers of increasing inequality are highlighted here as finance and technology and their contributions to higher polarization is detailed. A case study of polarization is followed along with the conclusion

Philosophical & Sociological Inquires in Material Aspects of the Human Life namely Risk, Finance and Insurance

Given how much importance there is of economics and finance in our lives as humans (materialist side is foremost as per Marx), it should be given more importance by Philosophy and Sociology. This brief report is meant to highlight few research paradigms available in Philosophy and Sociology to give its proper social context and provide deep underlying of Risk, Insurance and Finance

The Evolution of Resin-Based Dental Materials/Composites: The Way Forward

Composites have come a long way since replacement of silicates as the material of choice in restorative and esthetic dentistry. The qualities of the resin-based material have immensely increased in the context of bonding and curing mechanisms. Due to its esthetic qualities, the composite has left behind many restorative materials and become the number one choice in the field of esthetic dentistry. Still, a lot needs to be done to reduce the limitations of composites like expansion or shrinkage, optimization of composites according to amorphous calcium phosphate, incorporation of antibacterial properties in composites and enhancement of self-adhesive properties. Fortuitously, an ample amount of research is done in this area in recent years and as a result, an improvement of restorative properties is also seen. This article discusses the evolution of the resin-based composite, the recent advancements and the way forward to achieve better materials

Impact of External Communication on Internal Brand Management Outcomes Using Employees as a Second Audience: A Comparative Analysis of Manufacturing and Service Sectors of Pakistan

This study investigated the effect of External Brand Communications on internal brand management practices using brand commitment and brand understanding as factors determining the phenomenon and subsequently analyzing the effect of both internal and external factors on brand citizenship behavior. A sample size of 300 respondents was selected from manufacturing and service oriented companies and the effects were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. It was found that there is significant and positive influence of brand understanding in determination of brand citizenship behavior and reflected mediating role of external communication congruence. Furthermore, it has also found that internal brand management practices are more evident in case of manufacturing firm i.e. a reputed Biscuits Manufacturing Company as compare to financial firm i.e. a renowned Private Limited Bank. It reveals necessity of work required in case of Private Limited Bank to work on external communication practices and integrate it with internal brand management practices to increase its role in determination of employee behavior and their role in propagating brand image as second audience

Omnichannel Development within the Pakistani Fashion Retail

We examined the omnichannel Development within the Pakistani Fashion Retail and observed both Retailer and Consumer perspective in our study to see the development and Potential of Omnichannel. We selected 25 retailers (of which 22 are using multi-channels) and 224 shoppers who used more than one channel for purchasing fashion products, (due to some model fitness error we reduced our final sample size to 205 respondents). We used UTAUT2 model with 2 more predictors (perceived security and Personal innovativeness) which we found effected in purchase intention of consumer from some previous literature.  As per Retailer Perspective we found that we are at an extremely early stage of omnichannel. Organizations are slowly transforming but some retailers are still under threat because of associated risks with changing their business models. Omnichannel loyalty service was found to be the weakest in current development due to profitability factors for organization which seem more important, and retailers also need to focus on data and analytics & IT structure to improve omnichannel journey. As per consumer perspective, the survey results show that the security is the main concern for the shoppers in Pakistan, it restricts shopper to provide their personal information to retailers also factors of social influence and hedonic motivation not found positively influenced in our model but habit and personal innovativeness found the key factors for omnichannel development also performance and effort expectancy founds positively influenced in the development of omnichannel. By summarizing both perspective we finally conclude (Fig. 26) that retailers should integrated their all channels in a way which gives consumer totally unified and seamless shopping experience and hit their purchase intention in a positive way which support omnichannel development in Pakistan Fashion Retail Industry. Keywords: Omnichannel, Integration, Purchase intention, transforming, loyalty services, data and analytics, Security, Effort Expectancy, Habit, Personal Innovativeness DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/54-06 Publication date:March 31st 201

Effect of Nanosilica and Carbon Nanotubes Addition on Mortar Mechanical and Durability Properties

Nowadays, nanomaterials are being extensively used in civil engineering works for improving their quality. Improved compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and good durability performance of nanocomposites attracted the researcher's interest in understanding these nanomaterials’ behavior in cementitious composites. In the present paper, mechanical and durability properties of 1.0 wt% nanosilica (NS) and four different types of 0.3 wt% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) admixed cement mortar was assessed at 28, 56, 90 and 120 days under sulphate water curing. The outside diameters of CNTs are 10-20 nm and 30-50 nm, each type are un-treated and treated with COOH group, respectively. Results showed that flexural and compressive strength was improved for mortar sample admixed with nanomaterials than normal one. Also, nanomaterials came up as a good solution against abrasion and sulphate attacks. The durability is also enhanced for such mortar samples as the density increases, reducing the porosity and water absorption capacity. Resistivity results indicated negligible to low risk of corrosion, thus increasing the durability of these mortar samples. Overall, the sample formed with treated CNTs and 30nm – 50nm outside diameter gave better results than control specimen and other admixed mortar. Scanning Electron Microscopic  images were in strong correlation with the experimental results

Dental Cusps: Normal, Supernumerary and Cusp-like Structures — An Overview

Cusp is an elevation or a mound on the crown portion of the tooth making up a divisional part of the occlusal surface. The occlusal surface of posterior teeth consists of varying number of cusps, which are specific to each tooth. Supernumerary or accessory cusps are the extra number of cusps that occuron the surface of the tooth. These cusps can occur on the posterior teeth, thereby increasing the number of cusps. They can also occur on the anterior teeth as cusp-like structures where cusps are usually not present (for example: talon cusp). Accessory cusps which occur as dental anomalies, such as dens evaginatus are mentioned in the dental literature. Apart from this, the dental anthropology literature also mentions of a number of accessory cusps considered as normal anatomical variants, such as protostylid, parastyle, and so on. Many of these anatomical variants occur as traits in certain racial populations. For the better understanding of the terminologies of these anatomical variants, it is essential to know the different nomenclatures and the various theories proposed to explainthe origin of multicusp teeth. This article is therefore aimed at providing the reader an overview of the various dental cusp nomenclatures, theories proposed to explain the origin of multicusp teeth and the supernumerary cusps and cusp-like structures.&nbsp

Corporate Risk Tolerance and Acceptability towards Sustainable Energy Transition

The omnipresence of risk prevails in almost every aspect of human life. Individuals and societal factors are pivotal in the decision-making process to judge acceptability and tolerability of risk. Tolerability of risk (ToR) is characterized by dynamism pinned in the process of decision making that helps to gauge the society and individual’s risk. The energy transition implies switching the energy system from fossil fuels or any traditional mechanism to modern renewable sources that are sustainable. The energy transition is paramount important in the current global energy system to attain sustainable goals for organizations. This study used the positivism research paradigm to address the research questions. The quantitative approach helps to examine the cause-and-effect relationship. It also helps to collect systematic information to meet the objectives of the research. A total sample of 300 was selected for the data collection from renewable energy companies. The study used positivism research philosophy applied deductive approach. The data is analyzed through PLS-SEM. It is summarized that the scale of risk acceptability and tolerability in Pakistan is moderate which encourages companies to work progressively and increases sociocultural activities to make society a partner of this new shift in energy transition that will ultimately increase the level of risk acceptability. Nevertheless, as a society, people are neither high-risk takers nor risk avoiders due to income constraints, macroeconomic uncertainty, and political instability.publishedVersio

ANTIHYPERGLYCAEMIC EFFECT OF FICUS DALHOUSIAE MIQ LEAF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: Ficus dalhousiae Miq. Has been documented for a wide range of uses in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of FDLEE in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Methods: Plant material was collected from Tirupati A. P, during the month of March 2013 the leaves were wiped carefully to make them free from dust and foreign material and dried under shade at room temperature. After seven days, the leaves were powdered and passed through a sieve. The powder was weighed (500 gm) and was extracted by maceration process and the solvent was evaporated in a rotavapor at 40º- 50º C under reduced pressure. The total yield of the extract was 16.5%. Phytochemical screening was carried out for the detection of alkaloids, flavanoids, glycosides, saponins, sterols and tannins by simple qualitative methods. Diabetes mellitus was induced by single i. p injection of freshly prepared solution of Alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 150mg/kg b. w. The animals were kept under observation for 48hr; Blood glucose was measured by glucometer. The rats with blood glucose levels above 250 mg/dl were selected for the experimental studies. FDLEE (100, 200 & 400mg/kg, b. w) was administered orally once a day for a period of 10 days. Body weight and blood glucose levels were determined on different experimental days. Results: Significant decrease in body weight and increase in blood glucose and lipid profile were observed in diabetic rats. The administration of FDLEE and glibenclamide daily for 10 days reversed body weights and blood glucose significantly. Conclusion: FDLEE exhibited anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects in diabetic rats which supports its use as an adjunct in treatment of diabetes